1st Team Data Scientist

Based in Manchester, this permanent role sits within Manchester City’s 1st Team Analysis department and helps turn football data into better decisions. Working with the Football Intelligence Data team, you will develop models and insights that inform recruitment, training and match strategy, while helping football practitioners understand what it takes to perform at the highest level. 

Who We Are 

Manchester City is a football club rooted in East Manchester, with a story that began in 1880 and continues to grow today. Built on resilience, belief and togetherness, success on the pitch is driven by the moments and memories shared with millions of Fans around the world. City is known for its bravery, its determination to the very end and its strong connection to where we come from. With Mancunian roots and a global outlook, we are shaped by our Fans and driven by a long-term vision, from developing future talent to supporting the communities we call home. Together, we are creating the next chapter, the City way. 

Within our 1st Team Analysis department, we work across performance analysis and football intelligence to support better decision-making on and off the pitch. By combining technical expertise, football understanding and collaborative ways of working, the team develops practical insight for Manchester City and the wider City Football Group network. 

The Role 

As a First Team Data Scientist, you will research and build data science solutions that help football practitioners and decision-makers answer important questions about performance and recruitment. Your work will turn complex information into clear, useful insight that can support the way teams prepare, perform and develop. 

You will develop statistical and machine-learning models that deepen our understanding of what it takes to perform, contributing to quantitative approaches across technical, tactical and physical areas of football. You will explore patterns and trends, identify meaningful features, test ideas and make predictions that can inform training programmes and match strategies. 

Working alongside data scientists, analysts and colleagues across multidisciplinary teams, you will communicate your findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. You will manage your work against agreed plans, contribute to shared project outcomes and bring curiosity, imagination and practical problem-solving to new football performance challenges. 

What You’ll Bring 

• A Masters or equivalent industry experience in a quantitative discipline such as mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science or a related subject. 

• Experience designing and training complex statistical models. 

• Proficiency in Python for data analysis and model development. 

• Experience working with structured and unstructured data sources, including spatio-temporal data. 

• Clear and effective communication skills, including the ability to present technical findings to non-technical audiences. 

• Proven ability to collaborate with other data scientists and across multidisciplinary teams. 

Why Choose Us 

Working at Manchester City means being supported to do your best, with the flexibility and encouragement to look after your wellbeing. We are committed to helping our people learn, grow and thrive in a culture built on collaboration, openness and hard work. 

As part of our team, you will receive 26 days’ annual leave plus a day off for your birthday, private healthcare and dental cover, and an annual discretionary bonus. You will also have access to a Health Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP support, and a company pension and life assurance. 

Manchester-based employees also benefit from free on-site parking, complimentary breakfast and lunch, and access to a range of sports and leisure clubs. 

You can enjoy a range of additional benefits, including cycle to work, Give As You Earn, discounted match tickets, savings in the City Store, a free City+ subscription, stadium tour discounts, and wider retail and lifestyle offers. 

How to Apply 

If this role sounds like it is for you, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please submit your application via our careers site by 16 November 2026. We encourage you to apply as soon as you can. 

We work with a select group of agency partners and do not accept unsolicited applications. Any CVs submitted without prior agreement will be treated as a direct application. 

Equal Opportunities 

City Football Group promotes equal opportunities in employment and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. 

We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose skills and experience seem to meet our needs. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you only if you are selected for an interview. If you require reasonable adjustments or any support throughout the process, please contact hiring@cityfootball.com and we will be happy to help. 

All CFG recruitment communications originate from @cityfootball.com email addresses. If you receive communications from Gmail, Outlook.com or other personal email services claiming to represent CFG, please verify with the hiring team. Employment is subject to the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK. 

Due to our safeguarding promise, all UK-based CFG roles will be subject to a DBS check upon commencing employment with us. This will be either a basic, standard or enhanced check depending on the job role and responsibilities.